Manchester United are hopeful of agreeing a contract extension with goalkeeper David De Gea as revealed this morning by The Independent, but are reported to be making contingency plans to sign Newcastle’s Tim Krul should the Spaniard leave for Real Madrid. Krul is currently sidelined through injury, but despite agreeing terms to sign former Barcelona stopper Victor Valdes this week, Louis van Gaal is considering launching a move for Krul. According to The Mirror, Van Gaal favours Krul from their time together at the World Cup Netherlands.

The deal for Victor Valdes is near enough complete, with United offering the World Cup winner an 18-month deal after proving his fitness during two months of training with the Premier League side. Valdes suffered serious knee ligament injury last year and is yet to return to action having been released by the Catalans in the summer.

Manchester United: Players who were linked with a January move to Old Trafford

Manchester United: Players who were linked with a January move to Old Trafford

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Gareth Bale

Manchester United would love him and some reports suggest he would be open to a return home - but Real Madrid have said they wouldn't sell the winger at any price, even the mammoth £150m that has been mentioned in recent reports.

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Sergio Ramos

Real Madrid's Sergio Ramos would be perfect for United and is one of few truly world class centre-backs around. Another player Real will not want to lose, this move may wait until the summer.

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Juan Cuadrado

The Fiorentina and Colombia winger was a target of United's in the summer but a move never transpired. He is lightning quick, brilliant on the ball and gets his fair share of goals. May cost more than £30m, however.

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Ashley Cole

The former Chelsea left-back was linked with a move to United last summer, but instead went to Roma. There are suggestions he is unhappy in Italy and would be open to a return to the Premier League.

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Ron Vlaar

Out of contract at the end of the season and impressing in his Aston Villa shirt, Ron Vlaar could be a quick and cheap fix at the back. That he's Dutch won't do his chances of an Old Trafford switch any harm either. Picked up a knee injury in early January that will likely end speculation.

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Raphael Varane

The Real Madrid centre-back has been hugely impressive since breaking through at the Bernabeu. Would take a big bid to land the young France international, but that shouldn't be a problem.

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Ezequiel Garay

Manchester United are keen to bolster their Argentinian contingent and the arrival of Garay would do just that. United reportedly sent scouts to watch the Zenit St Petersburg player.

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Gerard Pique

He played for Manchester United before being allowed to return to his boyhood club Barcelona in 2008. But recently things have soured for the Spain international, with new Nou Camp manager Luis Enrique leaving him out a few times this season. Could he be heading back to Old Trafford again?

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Nathaniel Clyne

A call up to the England squad boosts your profile, and in the case of Clyne, it's led to inevitable speculation that he could leave Southampton. The Saints will be desperate to hold onto the young right-back, but as they found last summer, if players want to go they usually get their way.

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Mats Hummels

Another Germany international interesting United is Hummels. The centre-back was made captain at Borussia Dortmund last summer to help ward off interest from other clubs, but with the German side struggling this term, they might not be able to keep the suitors at bay next time around. A £35m offer has been heavily reported and this deal is certainly one that is the more probable to see in the near-future.

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Sami Khedira

Manchester United have been linked with Khedira, but then, who hasn't? The Germany international looks certain to be playing somewhere other than Real Madrid next term, and it could be Old Trafford.

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Julian Draxler

The Schalke midfielder has been interesting Europe's top clubs for some time. So far, everyone has failed in their attempts to prise the youngster away from his boyhood club. With the money at Manchester United's disposal, they could persuade Schalke to relinquish.

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Paulo Dybala

Manchester United have been linked with a move for Palermo striker Paulo Dybala. The 21-year-old has been banging in the goals in Serie A this term, leading to speculation he's in line for a big move. But the Palermo president has indicated he won't be allowed to leave for anything less that £31m

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Yohan Cabaye

After leaving Newcastle for PSG, France international Cabaye has reportedly failed to settle in the French capital. That he has struggled to force his way into the starting line-up under manager Laurent Blanc hasn't helped. That could make him open to a return to the Premier League.

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Marcos Reus

Another highly sought German player. With Borussia Dortmund struggling this term and no Champions League football next season a real possibility, it seems likely Reus could be sold in the summer. United will have to fight to be at the front of the queue.

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Arjen Robben

The former Chelsea player has said numerous times he has no intention of leaving Bayern Munich. But then again, nothing footballers say can be taken as sacrosanct. His Dutch links and style of play make his a good fit at United.

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Kevin Strootman

The Netherlands international was heavily linked with United in the summer but a serious injury ruled out the prospect of a move. The Roma midfielder has since returned to action and so the rumours have started up again. A fee of £30m has been mentioned.

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United are also believed to be monitoring the future of Luis Suarez after reports in the Daily Mail claimed the Uruguayan could leave the Catalans. Suarez joined the Spanish side last summer in a £75m transfer from Liverpool, but has only scored three goals in his 12 appearances – though his playing time was restricted by his four-month ban imposed by Fifa for biting Giorgio Chiellini during the World Cup.

Suarez has been linked with a Premier League return

However, Barcelona's one-year transfer ban means a move in the short-term is highly unlikely, and United face stiff competition from Manchester City, Chelsea and Arsenal if they wish to launch an audacious bid for the 27-year-old.

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Burnley remain in talks to sign on-loan defender Michael Keane on a permanent deal, but manager Sean Dyche has confirmed that a deal is yet to be agreed. Dyche said: “There may be some news today pending the usual stuff. We’re just waiting.We’ve been in discussions with Keano and Manchester United about it and we’ll see where that goes, but it’s something we’ve been looking at from when we took him on loan.”

Vidic hasn't enjoyed the best of starts to life in Italy

TWIST…

Nemanja Vidic has been praised by current United defender Paddy McNair, with a shock return move for the Serbian defender still a possibility in the current transfer window. Vidic is out of favour at Inter Milan since Roberto Mancini took charge of the Italian side, and a return to Old Trafford has not been completely ruled out by either party.